sears



s Sheets-Sheefi 1. Gr; H. SEARS.

BICYCLE.

(No Model.)

No. 570,271. Patented Oct. 27, 1896.

- (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

G". H. SEARS. BIGYOLB.

No. 570,211. Patented Oct. 27, 1896 Int/sitar: 2'? Mam,

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

GEORGE H. SEARS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGEHAHN, OF SAME PLACE.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,271, dated October27, 1896.

Application filed January 18, 1896. Serial No. 576,007. (No model.)

means of which the hands, together with the feet, may be employed topropel the vehicle.

This improved mechanism involves a triplecrank-pedal axle, a pitman forturning the middle crank, and mechanism or gearing connecting the pitmanwith the handle-bars so the latter may be used as levers to aid inpropelling the bicycle. A plunger is employed within the head of theframe, which is connected with the pitnian by means of a bellcrank.Provision is made for allowing for the parts between the handle-bars andthe plunger a swivel motion around the latter, so the guiding of thebicycle is not interfered with.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described, and particularlypointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the frame ofthe bicycle with parts sectioned and broken away. Fig. 2 shows theplunger and associated part-s, parts being vertically sectioned andbroken away. Fig. 3 shows the rear side of the bell-crank, as indicatedby arrow 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a top View of the bell-crank, indicatedby arrow 4 in Fi 2. Fig. 5 shows a method of connecting the handle-barswith other parts. Fig. 6 is a view of a part of a handle-bar, indicatedby arrow 6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows a toothed washer, seen as indicatedby arrow 7 in Fig. 5. Fig. Sis an axial section of the head of theframe, showing the plunger and other as sociated parts, parts beingbroken away and other parts shown in two positions by full and dottedlines. Fig. 9 is a plan of parts above the head, seen as indicated byarrow 9 in Fig. 8, parts being horizontally sectioned. Fig. 10 is afront view of the cross-head and other associated parts, seen asindicated by arrow 10 in Fig. 8, a part being vertically sectioned.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of parts taken on the dotted line 11 11in Fig. 8, a part being broken away. Fig. 12 is a view of the lower partof the plunger, indicated by arrow 12 in Fig. 8. Fig. 13 is acrosssection of the plunger, taken on the dotted line 13 13 in Fig.

2. Fig. 14 is a View of a crank-arm, indicated by arrow 14 in Fig. 0'.Fig. 15 shows the bellcrank chamber, viewed as indicated by arrow 15 inFig. 1. Fig. 16 is an outline elevation of the triple-crank axle. Fig.17 is an end view of the triple-crank axle with associated parts. Fig.18 is a horizontal cross-section on the line 18 18 in Fig. 8. vation ofthe upper part of the head and parts above it, seen as indicated byarrow 10 in Fig. 8. Fig. 20 is an axial section of the up per part ofthe head and associated parts on the dotted line 20 20 in Fig. 18. Fig.1 is drawn to a scale one-fifth full size, Figs. 6, '7, 11, 16, 18, and20 full size, and the remaining figures to a scale one-half full size.

Referring to the parts shown, A is the frame of the bicycle, B thedriving-sprocket, and O the head. I

The pedal-axle D, Figs. 1, 16, and 17, is formed with a seat a for theleft-hand pedalcrank and a similar though longer seat I) for thesprocket, which also forms a part of the right pedal-cranka'. Inaddition to these this axle is formed with a central crank E of shortstroke between the pedal-cranks. (See also Fig. 8.)

ithin the head 0 is placed a loose cylindrical plunger F, Figs. 2 and 8,capable of having a reciprocal axial motion in the head. The lower endof the plunger, which is hollow, is formed with a thickened part or lug0, (see also Fig. 12,) connected with a bellcrank d, the latter beingconnected with the axle-crank E by apitman f, Figs. 1, 22, S, and 15.The bell-crank is inclosed in a chamber or housing G, extending out fromthe rear side of the head, the pivot-pin 6, upon which the bell-crankturns, being held in the walls of said chamber also, the pitman iswholly inclosed in an enlarged part b of the frame, tapered and madeoval in cross-section, as appears in Fig. 15, to provide for thevibrations of the pitman. Now it will be understood that by giving theplunger an endwise recip- Fig. 19 is a front ele-' rocal motion the axleD will be turned in a manner to propel the bicycle.

The plunger or driver for the pitman and the crank E is movedreciprocally in longitudinal directions by means of the handle-bars II.The fork I, which extends within and through the center of the plungeror driver F, is provided at its upper end with a cross-head g, Figs. 1,2, 10, and 19, preferably secured to the fork by being threaded thereon,as shown, a simple holder, as a straight or tapered pin it, Figs. 10 and11, being passed through both parts to keep the head from turning. Tothis cross-head is secured by bolts 0 two horizontal hearings or holderst, Figs. 2, 9, and 19, for the handle-bars and crank-arms 7t, (see alsoFig. 14,) these holders being the fulcrum-bearin gs for the crank-armsand the handle-bars.

The outer end of each crank-arm is preferably formed into a sq'uarepartd, Fig. I), upon which the handle-bar may he seated, as shown, a nut e,threaded onto the extreme end of the arm, serving tohold the handle-barin place; but I prefer to place a washer f, Figs. 5 and 7, 011 thesquare part cl and have the handle-bar occupy a reduced cylindrical partof the crank-arm outside of the square part, as shown. The contiguousfaces of the washer and the handle-bar being formed with radial teeth g,Figs. 6 and 7, will effectually prevent the handle-bar from turningindependently of the crank-arm when the holding-nut e is brought up'snugly against the handle-bar. This construction of the parts admits ofthe handlebars being vertically adjusted for the convenience of therider.

Near its upper end the plunger or driver -F is formed with a collar Z,Figs. 2, 8, and 10,

above which it is larger in diameter thanbelow the collar. Upon thisenlarged part, above the collar,.a ring m, Figs. 8, 11, and 1,9, isplaced and adapted to turn thereon, as witha swivel motion. This ring ispreferably constructed to have a ball-bearing of ordinary kind upon thepart F; but this is not essential to my invention. The upper end ofthedriver or plunger is threaded to receive a holding-nut n to keep thering in place. The crank-arms extend outward in opposite directions, asshown in Fig. 9, one reaching forward and the other backward. The ringat is formed with a rigid arm or standard 0, (see also Figs. 1 and 8,)extending upward and connected by means of a pivot-pin 1) to therearcrank-arm; also, alink or arm 7', of equal length with the part 0,connects the ring on its opposite side with the forward crank-arm, a lugs on the ring being. provided for the purpose, said link being pivotedto the contiguous parts at both ends.

As shown in Fig. 9, the right handle-bar is connected with and operatesthe forward crank-arm, and the left handle-bar is connected with andoperates the rear crank-arm,

on account of which it will be understood that when the rightha-ndle'bar is pressed downward it will tend to raise the plunger, andwhen raised it will tend to depress the plunger, this handle-bar withits associated crank-arm together acting as a lever of the first order;also, that the plunger will move up or down with the left handle-bar,said handle-bar and its crank-arm together acting as a lever of thesecond order, or, in other words, if the right handle-bar be presseddownward, for example, and the left handlebar simultaneously pulledupward the plunger will be raised by the combined action of bothhandle-bars, or if the directions of motions of the handle-bars bereversed the plunger will be depressed by their joint action.

The ring m, together with the arms 0 and a and the crank-arms 7t,constituteconnectors for the handle-bars and the plunger or driver F, bymeans of which the action of the handle-bars tends to and aids inpropelling the vehicle. This particular arrangement of the handle-barsand the crank-arms need not necessarily be followed, that is to say, thecrank-arm acting with the right handlebar may extend backward and theleft handlebar may actuate the crank-arm extending forward, it in anycase this be found to be the better arrangement of the parts. In eithercase the handle-bars will move simultaneously in opposite directions.

The front fork I is centered within the head 0 of the frame by means ofa ring i, Fig. 8, at the lower end of the head, at which point aball-bearing is provided for the parts. At the upper endof the head thefork is centered by means of a star-piece u, Figs. 8 and 1S, fittedsnugly upon and within the head, as shown. The body or central portionof this star-piece is in the space within the tubular plunger F and hasparts extending radially outward in various directions, through verticalopenings 17 in the sides of the plunger, to meet the walls of the head.These openings in the plunger are of sufficient verticallength to allowthe' plunger free axial motion, as above described. This centering-pieceis hollowed out next the fork to hold balls for the purpose of providinga ball-bearing thereat. The fork is threaded within and above thecentering-piece a, as shown, and a threaded ring to placed thereon toform the upper bearing for the balls. The fork is thus held securelywithin the head 0 by the centeringpieces and the ball-bearings at theupper and lower end of the head.

As shown in Fig. 18, the openings e in the plunger for thecentering-piece u are sufficiently large to allow free motion laterallyas well axially to the plunger.

\Vhen in use, the plungeriscarried slightly in lateral directionsforward and backward at its lower end on account of the swinging of thebell-crank d, (observing Fig. 8,) while at its upper end it is swungalternately slightly IIO forward and backward 011 account of the rockingof the crank-arms 7s. The link 9, being pivoted at both ends, permits offree and easy motions of this nature for the plunger at its upperend.The plunger being tubular, there is sufficient space within it to admitof these lateral motions without its encountering the fork.

The handle-bars in this improved bicycle are used, as usual, to guidethe bicycle as well as to aid in propelling it. To insure a free andeasy motion for all the parts when the handle-bars are swung to one sideor the other, the crank-arms 70 Rare provided with swivel-jaws oreyepieces 00 50, Figs. 9, 14, and 19. These eyepieces,turningin theirbearings in the crank-arms, prevent any cramping of the parts due to thelateral motions of the handle-bars in the act of guiding the bicycle.The plunger or driver F does not partake of these lateral swingingmotions of the handlebars, that is to say, it does not turn upon itsaxis as the handle-bars are turned, but maintains at all times itsrelative position within the head, exceptas to the axial motions abovedescribed.

Then the handle-bars are turned laterally, the ring m turns with themupon its bearings on the plunger, but the latter is reciprocated withequal facility by the handle-bars in whatever position they may chanceto be in guiding the wheel. Furthermore, to provide for a free motion ofthe parts in all the positions of the handle-bars the bellcrank d, Figs.2, 3, and 4,is provided with a swivel-j aw y,which turns through smalldistances in its bearing in the bell-crank when the handle-bars areswung to either side. \Vhen, for instance, in rounding a curve thehandle-bars are swung to one side, the lateral swaying of the upper endof the plunger due to the rocking of the arms will not be directlyforward and backward in the plane of the frame, but in the verticalplane midway between the handles. On account of this the joint betweenthe plunger and the bell-crank and between the latter and the pitmanwould be inclined to bind were the bell-crank in one rigid piece.

As has been stated, the arrangement is to have the hands workalternately-one moving up while the other is moving down-this beingnatural to them; but the relative timing of the motions of the hands andthe feet is a matter of convenience.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 17 ,the middle crank E is at its upwardposition, while the pedalcranks are substantially horizontal, the otherparts being positioned correspondingly, with the right hand and leftfoot pressing downward and the left hand pulling upward, all actingtogether to turn the axle D forward; but this arrangement of the motionsof the hands and feet need not necessarily be adopted if some other isfound more convenient.

As a matter of convenience or necessity in putting the parts togetherthe head h of the pitman, Fig. 8, is made removable from the tubularpart or rod. This is effected by some simple means, as by brazing ashort plug in the end of the tubular part, having its outer projectingend threaded to enter a threaded socket in the head. Any other simplemethod of joining the parts would answer the purpose equally well.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In combination with the frame of abicycle, the head of which is hollow, and one of the parts, 1) is alsohollow and taperingly enlarged, of a crankshaft, a pitman within theenlarged part, a reciprocating driver within the head, and a connectorbetween the driver and the pitman, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with the handle-bars and the axle of a bicycle, adriving-plunger for the axle, held by the head of the bicycle, andconnectors for the plunger and the axle and the handle barsrespectively, the latter being adapted to move simultaneously inopposite directions, one of the handles operating as a lever of thefirst class, and the other one asa lever of the second classsubstantially as specified.

3. In combination with the handle-bars and the axle of a bicycle, adriving-plunger for the axle, held by the head of the bicycle, andconnectors for the plunger and the axle, and a ring or body on theplunger, and connectors for said ring or body and the handle-bars, saidring or body being adapted to turn upon the plunger, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

at. In combination with the front fork, the head, the driving-crank axleand pitman of a bicycle, a reciprocating driver for the pitman, in saidhead, and a centering-piece for the fork, held by the head, occupyingopenings in said pitman-driver, substantially as described.

5. In combination with the head of a bicycle provided with a housing, acrank-axle pitman, and a reciprocating driver therefor held by theframe, a bell-crank within the housing connecting said driver and thepitman, and means to operate the driver, and a swivel part for thebell-crank, substantially as shown and described.

6. In combination with the head, the handle-bars and the crank-axle of abicycle, a reciprocating driver for said axle, held by the head, andconnectors for said driver and the axle, and a ring or part adapted toturn upon the driver, crank-arms actuated by the handle-bars, a rigidstandard and a pivoted standard connecting said crank-arms respectivelywith said ring, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In combination with the head, the handle-bars and the crank-axle of abicycle, a

. reciprocating driver for said axle, held by the head, and connectorsfor said driver and the axle, and a ring or part adapted to turn. uponthe driver, crank-arms actuated by the hanhand this Qith day ofDecember, 1895, in the die-bars, arigid standard and a ph'oted standpresence of two subscribing Witnesses. ard connecting said cm11k-arn1srespectively with said ring, and swiveljaws or parts be- GEORGE II.SEARS. 5 tween said standards and the crank-arms, \Vitnesses:

substantially as set forth. ENos B. WHITMORE,

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my M. L. \VINSTON.

